Flu and cold season taking a toll
By: Mark Gruba
Updated: January 3, 2013
From mid-October through the end of last week there have been 913 laboratory confirmed cases of the flu in Monroe County.
Of those cases, nearly 400 were confirmed during the week of December 22. "I think we're kind of hitting the peak, maybe another week or two, and then it should start leveling its way off," said Dr. Mathew Devine of Highland Family Medicine.
Although the flu shot is recommended for most people, it does not guarantee a person won't get sick. "This year there are certain strains that are not being covered within the flu vaccine itself and there are folks that have gotten the flu that have gotten the vaccine, albeit though usually their symptoms are a little bit less pronounced," said Dr. Devine.
It's not just the flu. Doctors at Highland Family Medicine say they're treating lots of folks with the common cold as well. "We've been seeing that very consistently since the summer into the fall, but now it's almost like people are heightened in their awareness, thinking I have this," said Dr. Devine.
He added it's no surprise cases are up around the holidays when people tend to gather more frequently. "Also, I think the holidays tend to be stressful and so our hormone levels of our body kind of are altered in that we are more at risk for becoming ill because our immune system can be compromised and we can be tired," said Dr. Devine.
The preventative measures for trying to say healthy haven't changed. Dr. Devine recommends washing your hands frequently with sanitizer or soap and water. He also said people should try to get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods and drink lots of fluids. And, of course, people should try to avoid those who are already sick.
Of those cases, nearly 400 were confirmed during the week of December 22. "I think we're kind of hitting the peak, maybe another week or two, and then it should start leveling its way off," said Dr. Mathew Devine of Highland Family Medicine.
Although the flu shot is recommended for most people, it does not guarantee a person won't get sick. "This year there are certain strains that are not being covered within the flu vaccine itself and there are folks that have gotten the flu that have gotten the vaccine, albeit though usually their symptoms are a little bit less pronounced," said Dr. Devine.
It's not just the flu. Doctors at Highland Family Medicine say they're treating lots of folks with the common cold as well. "We've been seeing that very consistently since the summer into the fall, but now it's almost like people are heightened in their awareness, thinking I have this," said Dr. Devine.
He added it's no surprise cases are up around the holidays when people tend to gather more frequently. "Also, I think the holidays tend to be stressful and so our hormone levels of our body kind of are altered in that we are more at risk for becoming ill because our immune system can be compromised and we can be tired," said Dr. Devine.
The preventative measures for trying to say healthy haven't changed. Dr. Devine recommends washing your hands frequently with sanitizer or soap and water. He also said people should try to get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods and drink lots of fluids. And, of course, people should try to avoid those who are already sick.
